US naval armada heads Middle East, Trump warns Iran
US sends major naval forces toward the Gulf as President Trump keeps pressure on Iran while leaving room for diplomacy.
Washington – (Special Correspondent / Web Desk) – President Donald Trump said on Thursday that a large US naval force is moving toward the Gulf, signaling continued pressure on Iran despite his recent remarks playing down the likelihood of immediate military action. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump said the United States was closely monitoring Tehran and had deployed significant naval assets “just in case.”
Although Trump recently stepped back from a threat to strike Iran following reports that Tehran paused planned executions of protesters, he confirmed that military preparations remain underway. He described the deployment as a “massive fleet,” adding that while he hoped force would not be necessary, the US was prepared if circumstances changed. Trump also repeated his claim that US pressure helped prevent hundreds of executions and said he remained open to diplomatic talks with Iran.
US officials confirmed that an aircraft carrier strike group, along with additional warships and fighter aircraft, will arrive in the Middle East in the coming days. Some officials also said the US is considering deploying more air defence systems. While such military movements can be defensive, analysts note that the US has previously carried out major build-ups before launching strikes, including last year’s attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Trump warned that any attempt by Iran to restart its nuclear programme would prompt renewed US action.
Iran must file a report to the IAEA on what happened at the sites struck by the United States and on nuclear material believed to have been there, including an estimated 440.9 kg of uranium enriched to up to 60% purity, close to the roughly 90% weapons-grade level. That is enough material, if enriched further, for 10 nuclear bombs, according to an IAEA yardstick.
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It remains unclear whether protests in Iran could surge again. The demonstrations began on December 28 as modest protests in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar over economic hardship and quickly spread nationwide.
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